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Subcommittee adopts LFC recommendation for Crime Victims Reparation Commission; members flag additional funds for review
Summary
The committee adopted the LFC recommendation for the Crime Victims Reparation Commission while flagging the item for staff review to consider additional funds requested by the executive. The director highlighted declines in federal crime victim funding and growth in survivor services and SANE coverage statewide.
Scott Sanchez (LFC analyst) presented the Crime Victims Reparation Commission (CBRC) difference sheet; LFC increased the agency’s general fund slightly to cover health-benefit costs while the executive sought a larger increase and additional recurring funding for contracts with sexual-assault service providers.
Director Frank Zubia described growth in survivor services (a cited 20–28% increase from FY23–FY25), expansion of sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) coverage in rural areas, and the creation of a statewide sexual assault helpline. Zubia said federal Crime Victim Fund dollars have fluctuated and declined compared with earlier years — he recounted a 2018 federal allocation of about $20,000,000 and smaller federal totals in subsequent years — and said the Commission is pursuing advocacy and partnerships to stabilize funding.
Representative Little asked whether missing-and-murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) priorities are being addressed; Zubia said CBRC funds a Missing Persons Fund administered through the Native Coalition (about $50,000) and that gaps remain because missing-person status is not enumerated as a crime. Members also discussed SANE provider programs and confirmed DNA testing is not administered through CBRC.
Representative Little moved adoption of the LFC recommendation with a flag to note additional funds to support the executive request; Representative Bock seconded. The committee adopted the LFC recommendation and flagged the item for staff review and a future subcommittee conversation.
What’s next: the item was flagged for staff review and may be revisited in subcommittee to consider whether to add recurring funds to support sexual-assault services and SANE capacity.
